STRENGTHENING OF REINFORCED CONCRETE BEAMS SUBJECTED TO TORSION AND SHEAR STRESSES USING FIBRE-REINFORCED-POLYMERS (FRP)

Abstract

An experimental investigation is conducted on the improvement of the torsional resistance of reinforced concrete beams using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) fabric. The experimental program outlines a comprehensive analysis of the combined effects of shear and torsion on the torsional strengthening of four rectangular reinforced concrete beams with externally bonded glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) sheets. Three specimens are strengthened with GFRP composite wraps, and one is kept as a control specimen without strengthening. The outcomes of the one non-strengthened specimen are compared to those of the strengthened specimens. The load, twist angle of the beam, and strains were recorded. Improving the torsional resistance of reinforced concrete beams using FRP was demonstrated to be viable . All specimens are strengthened have the same concrete grade and steel reinforcement ratio. As in the failure torsional moment for various strengthening configurations, as well as performance improvement and crack patterns. The purpose of this study is to assess the efficacy of using epoxy-bonded GFRP fabrics as external transverse reinforcement to reinforced concrete beams subjected to torsion. Torsional results from strengthened beams are compared to experimental results from control beam without the use of FRP. The study demonstrates a significant improvement in the torsional behaviour of all GFRP strengthened beams. using FRP was demonstrated to be viable. The effectiveness of various wrapping configurations indicated that the fully wrapped beams performed better than using strips.